When it comes to cleaning, sometimes more isn't better. In fact, using too much product or wiping things down too often is a sure-fire way to wear down your belongings even faster. So if you're guilty of any of the following habits, you're going to want to break them ASAP:

1. You wipe down mirrors every time you see a fingerprint.

We're not saying leave your mirror to fend for itself for months at a time, but one measly fingerprint might not be cause to bust out the spray bottle. "When moisture from humidity or over-spraying cleaner gets behind the mirror, it can damage or remove the backing," explains Carolyn Forte, director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

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2. You pour in extra laundry detergent for stained clothes.

No, it won't make your whites whiter. Use too much and it might not rinse out of clothes, according to Forte. "Too many suds also can hamper cleaning. They cushion fabrics and dirt so stains get trapped and not washed away as they should." Bottom line: Just follow the instructions on your bottle.

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3. You rush through wiping down counters — a lot.

Even though we recommend you clean these surfaces on the daily, if you don't have time to do it right, don't do it: "If it's not buffed well and a film is left behind that will make them look dull," Forte explains. So it would essentially defeat the point. However, if you do have time, forge ahead!

4. You treat extra dirty dishwasher cycles to bonus detergent.

Didn't rinse off all the spaghetti sauce from your plate? Extra detergent won't fix it, it'll actually harm your dishes. "Too much can leave residue, film, and spots behind," explains Forte. However, if your load is unusually light, you can switch your quantity to a smaller amount to avoid these same pitfalls.

5. You're heavy-handed with water on wooden floors.

Even though mopping in its nature involves coating the floor with a healthy serving of water, too much can damage some materials, warns Forte: "If there are scratches or gouges in the finish, water can seep underneath and damage the wood." So in the case of wood floors, just remember that less is more.

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6. You grab the vacuum every time you see a stray hair.

We get it: This is definitely the easiest way to take care of annoying shedding. But those stringy pieces can end up tangling up the brush roll inside. Instead, stick to a broom for long strands. However, Forte says you can still use this appliance for your furry friends: "It's fine to do a weekly sweep of your pup's favorite spot on the couch."

7. You wash clothing after every single wear.

For sweaty gym gear, shirts, and tights, this is fine. But many items can and should be worn three times before you drop them into the cycle, according to Forte: "Over-washing and over-drying fabrics can cause fading and wear."

8. You spray dusting polish directly on wooden furniture.

It's the best way to make sure you get rid of all of the dust, right? Wrong. Doing this could lead to a filmy build-up on wood that is difficult to remove and ultimately attracts more dust, says Forte. Her recommendation? "Spray your cloth and pass it gently across the furniture's surface. If you prefer to spray your furniture, do so lightly and, after you dust, buff again with a clean cloth to remove any polish residue."

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9. You use extra fabric softener for rough towels.

Bad news: this will give you the opposite of your desired effect. This is why Forte says it's so important to measure and dilute softener as recommended, "Just pouring it in usually adds too much and that can make fabrics stiff and scratchy, or even greasy, and reduce towels' absorbency."